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While recent appointments at Dior and Chanel sparked major attention during the ongoing Paris fashion week, it was the first show from the fashion house that truly captivated the press coverage. The show featured a unexpected guest: Meghan Markle, making her initial European outing in a trio of years.

On Saturday night in Paris, the razzle-dazzle of Dior, Chanel – along with the notable attendee – were all outshone with the sheer impact of the Balenciaga event.

The Duchess delivered an extra layer of star power to the Parisian runway.

Before this development, the overall atmosphere surrounding Pierpaolo Piccioli’s debut had been relatively serene. This esteemed brand is a highly respected name, and the creative force is universally praised as a top-tier talent. Furthermore, he is beloved for his image of the most congenial figure in the industry. The general expectation was that extravagant catwalk stunts had exited the house of Balenciaga with the exit of the edgy designer Demna to Gucci. But, occasionally the kindest people can deliver surprises, and the appearance of royalty significantly amplified the media frenzy.

The designer sees himself as an design visionary, building shapes that never touch the human form.

Intriguingly, the core concept of what he called his manifesto, as he explained it after the show, was the empowerment of women. His starting point was the iconic sack dress from 1957, a shape that sits proud of the body, not highlighting nor restricting a natural body shape. The designer explained that this style was a radical expression of a evolving cultural mood that was starting to transition from the conservative norms of the 1950s towards the progressive 1960s. The idea centered on female empowerment. It liberated women from the constraints of clothing that emphasize the physical form and define them by their shape. The sack dress gave women the chance to move freely.”

Balenciaga’s most iconic silhouettes made an appearance in the runway, such as this ‘cocoon’ coat.

Clothes that hold their form are at the heart of the Balenciaga's philosophy. The designer likened this creative process to being an structural designer: building forms that do not touch the body, while continuously keeping in mind the people who will inhabit and move within them. The founder was deeply interested in the body and with fabric, and with a additional component – the space in between.”

First onto the catwalk was a contemporary update of the sack dress, elongated to an ankle-skimming hem, accompanied by elegant gloves – but also with wraparound bug-eye sunglasses that acted as a obvious reference to the futuristic edge of the brand's recent past.

Piccioli, who at 58 wears ornamental accessories and radiates an air of hippie-ish serenity, rejects the idea of seeing fashion as an ego battle. He believes that it is better for creatives to acknowledge each other’s talents. The creative director expressed that he was aiming for a successful fusion between the traditional craftsmanship of the brand, and its more contemporary urban phase. Balenciaga’s most iconic silhouettes were prominently featured in the show: a structured coat, this time in a bold green hue, and a flared dress in a intense purple color.

The phenomenon of French-girl chic has become a modern money-spinner. The American designer is an American man, but he masters this style code. He had a professional relationship with the renowned designer during her time leading the brand, and then spent six years developing Polo Ralph Lauren into a beacon of wearable style. In his current role, he is infusing the welcoming philosophy of American style to Parisian style. So there were timeless coats, straw baskets, and elegant scarves tied around bags – all the classic elements of French-girl chic – executed in cheerful tones, with an upbeat American tone. This is not an exclusive label, or a brand that wants to exclude people,” the designer explained post-presentation. The goal is for everyone feels desirable in the brand. By choosing these pieces, you may not have the strangest thing, but you have the best coat, and you have the self-assurance to wear it.”